Text 1. Education in Ukraine

Present day independent Ukraine has a well-developed system of education which matches the standards of the developed countries. Pre-school education is not compulsory and is fee-paying. Most parents take their children to nursery schools or kindergartens at the age of 3. Up to the age of 5 children mostly eat, sleep and play there, but in senior groups they are taught the basics of arithmetic, reading, writing, arts and in some schools foreign languages.

Compulsory secondary education begins at the age of 6-7 and is free in state schools and fee-paying in private ones. Secondary education includes three stages: primary (1-4 grades), basic (5-10 grades) and senior (11-12 grades). In general secondary schools children start learning foreign languages from the 2^nd grade and have fewer lessons of language a week than specialized language schools that start teaching languages from the 1^st grade. Recently new types of schools have appeared: gymnasiums and lyceums. In addition, there are schools with technical, computer, mathematical, law, pedagogical and art specialization. All the subjects in the secondary schools are obligatory but there are optional courses that students of senior grades can take.

Extra-curricular activities usually include a variety of sports and drama clubs, interest groups and various school parties.

Institutions of higher learning (higher educational establishments) include universities, academies, institutes and conservatories. Among the best known higher educational establishments there are Shevchenko Kyiv National University, Kyiv Polytechnic University, International Independent University „Kyiv-Mohyla Academy”, Kyiv State Conservatory, Lviv State University, Kharkiv National University, Kharkiv National Pedagogical University, Kharkiv State Polytechnic University and many others.

Postgraduate education begins after the last year of studies and usually results in thesis on the chosen scientific topic and the degree of the Candidate of Science. Doctorate Degree is awarded for an outstanding scientific research.

Post-reading Activities

1. State if these sentences are true or false:

1. The system of education in Ukraine matches the standards of the developed countries.

2. Pre-school education is fee-paying.

3. Most parents take their children to kindergartens at the age of 8.

4. Children are not taught the basics of arithmetic, reading and writing in senior groups.

5. Compulsory secondary education begins at the age of 9-10 and is free in private schools.

6. There are schools with different specializations in our country.

7. Children don’t like extra-curricular activities.

8. There are no higher educational establishments in our country.

2. Read Text 1 again and make notes under the headings below, then present a one-minute TV talk on education in Ukraine:

· Pre-school Education

· Secondary Education

· Post-secondary and Higher Education

Start like this: Hello. Today’s theme is the Education in Ukraine.

Дата добавления: 2014-11-29